FOI/202600517377 · FOI · unclear
Technical changes to the electoral registration system: FOI release
Information requested
I am writing to submit a request for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I request details of any IT system changes, software updates, or new verification processes introduced between 1 January 2024 and 31 May 2026 to allow electoral registration officers to check limited leave to remain status for candidate and voter eligibility.
Response
After conducting searches of our records, we have not identified any information in scope of your request. This is a formal notice under S.17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.
No such changes were required in the date range specified. The expansion to the franchise in relation to foreign nationals for Scottish Parliament and local government elections occurred on 3 August 2020. The expansion of candidacy rights to foreign nationals with limited leave to remain occurred on 1 August 2025. Electoral Registration Officers are concerned with the registration of voters and do not play any part in the verification of candidate eligibility. Returning Officers are responsible for handling the nomination of candidates but do not proactively check eligibility.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Correspondence Unit Email: contactus@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Detected exemption language
This is a formal notice under S.17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.
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